Podcast #70 · 30 Jun 2026
Diagnosis & Initial Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Medical Oncology
- Chemotherapy
- Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET)
- Biomarkers
- Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists (GLP-1)
- Adjuvant Therapy
How do you unravel the complexity of diagnosing and managing neuroendocrine tumors, where every case demands a tailored approach? In this episode of BackTable Tumor Board, host Dr. Lingling Du is joined by Dr. Chih-Yi Liao and Dr. Xavier Keutgen to break down the essential steps from first symptoms to staging, imaging, and early treatment decisions for NET patients. The discussion covers the spectrum of NET biology, individualized imaging strategies, and when surgery or systemic therapy is the best path forward.
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The doctors review the strengths and limitations of DOTATATE PET, MRI, CT, and FDG PET for diagnosis and staging, and clarify the limited role of biomarkers such as chromogranin A and serotonin. They outline key factors in surgical candidacy, including tumor location, burden, grade, and comorbidities like obesity, and discuss the use of GLP-1 and pancreas-sparing surgery in high-risk cases. The episode also examines managing discordant imaging, evolving guidelines for adjuvant therapy, and a case study where CAPTEM is used for tumor shrinkage in locally advanced pancreatic NET. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary decision-making and the need for experienced pathology review in this heterogeneous disease.